Rafael Carrera and the Emergence of the Republic of Guatemala, 18211871

Rafael Carrera (1814-1865) ruled Guatemala from about 1839 until his death. Among Central Americas many political strongmen, he is unrivaled in the length of his domination and the depth of his popularity. This life and times biography explains the political, social, economic, and cultural circumstances that preceded and then facilitated Carreras ascendancy and shows how Carrera in turn fomented changes that persisted long after his death and far beyond the borders of Guatemala.